Watching cellulose grow - Kinetic investigations on cellulose thin film formation at the gas-solid interface using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D)

► The reaction of trimethylsilyl cellulose thin films with HCl vapor is studied. ► QCM-D allows an in situ monitoring of this reaction under ambient atmosphere. ► Rate constants for this reaction have been determined. ► The reaction proceeds via a first fast phase and a second slower phase. ► The formed cellulose films show a layer thickness of 23 nm.